Serena wins 2nd Stanford title in a row

STANFORD, California - Reuters

Serena Williams. AFP photo

Top seed Serena Williams overcame a week fighting jet-lag to beat fellow American Coco Vandeweghe 7-5 6-3 to retain the Stanford Classic title on July 15.

Just eight days after winning her fifth Wimbledon single title, Williams fought off a set point in the first set before overcoming big-serving Vandeweghe, who had reached her first WTA final.

The 30-year-old Williams used her experience and know-how to race past the 20-year-old, nailing 21 winners. Vandeweghe struck 20 winners but also committed 25 unforced errors.

Williams, who had been playing with jet lag much of the week after travelling from London to California, was satisfied with the title run.

“I played well enough to win, but I can do a lot better and play stronger,” she said. “But there are a lot of positives and I didn’t quit. I survived and didn’t play my greatest, but mentally I was there and that really helped me a lot.”

She will now take a couple of days off, play an exhibition match and then head to London to prepare for the Olympic Games where she will defend her doubles title with Venus and attempt to win the singles gold.

“A gold medal will mean a lot to me, but I can’t lay all my hopes and dreams on that,” she said.